Heart Disease or Magic Beans

More than once I have stopped by the emergency room fearing I am having a heart attack. Symptoms have included tightness or sharp pains in my chest, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and/or a pressure sensation in my jaw.

As women, we are told to pay attention to any irregular symptoms like these and get them checked out because heart disease is the number one killer of women and can easily go undetected.

The first time I went to the emergency room I was 39 years old and experiencing severe chest pains and shortness of breath. I was an active, healthy woman, but these symptoms were frightening, and when the doctor asked if in the past few days I had eaten spicy food, consumed any hard liquor, smoked cigarettes, and/or taken ibuprofen. I said yes to all and discovered my weekend of merriment and partying resulted in severe acid indigestion and a burnt esophagus!

Fast-forward 10 years. I quit drinking and smoking, but my adoration for beverages of a caffeinated nature led me into new acidic adventures, and once again with all the symptoms in tow, off I went to emergency. They ran all the tests. Negative. I was given a cocktail of gloppy white stuff and instantly the symptoms disappeared. Again, acid indigestion. I was embarrassed, but the doctor reassured me I had done the right thing and to always come in if I experienced any new sensations that might suggest a heart attack.

So a couple years later, there I was again. Each time with similar symptoms, and each time a little more embarrassed to find indigestion had once more had it’s nasty way with me.

Last week, as I lay under glaring lights at 2 o’clock in the morning, hooked up to monitors and IV’s with emergency attendants scurrying about, I was pretty sure this time it was the “Big One.” For two days, I had been experiencing stabbing pains in my upper left chest. So severe I would buckle and lose my breath. I had been eating healthy, cut down on my caffeine intake, getting regular exercise, but again it was acid. Thankful, but embarrassed, the doctor once again reassured me I had done the right thing. So, I took a look at what could possibly have caused this acidity. What had I added or removed from my diet?

Ever heard of Green Coffee Bean Extract, the miracle cure for weight loss as stated by Dr. Oz[3]? Well, when I learned of its miracle powers, being I would never need to diet or exercise ever again to lose and/or maintain my weight, I went into a manic pursuit to acquire this product. Just think Snickers with no guilt!

Green Coffee Bean Extract contains Chlorongenic Acids, an antioxidant that slows the release of glucose into the bloodstream to support healthy liver. I should have noticed the word “acid” as a red flag. In high hopes of gaining back my girlish figure, I popped those beans, and by the end of day one, the chest pains ensued. By the end of day two, the doctor in the ER said, “Welcome back!”

I am sure this supplement works for many people, but if your body’s ph runs more acidic than alkaline, be forewarned. You may be wondering how to test the ph of your body. Check out this video[4] as aired throughout the nation on local and national television:

This blog is meant to encourage women to seek help if symptoms indicate a heart attack. If it happens again, I will be there in a heartbeat. Better to play it safe.

Heart Attack Signs in Women

Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.

Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.